Archived Story

Family of four dead in U.S. 12 crash

A family of four Indiana people is dead and one Michigan woman is injured after two vehicles collided head-on Sunday afternoon on U.S. Highway 12 east of Bell Road.

According to a Michigan State Police news release, 43-year-old Cecella B. Chaney, of Niles, was traveling east on U.S. 12 at approximately 3:18 p.m. when her vehicle left the roadway and then came back onto the roadway before crossing the centerline. The truck then crashed head-on into a westbound car containing a family of four: 1-year-old Devon Stone, of Mishawaka; 35-year-old Stacey K. Garza, of Mishawaka; 50-year-old Curtis R. Stone, of Mishawaka; and 57-year-old Kathleen M. Marks of South Bend. Devon Stone is the son of Curtis Stone and Garza. Garza is Marks’ daughter.

Upon impact, both vehicles rolled and were engulfed in flames. The driver of the truck escaped with minor injuries according to Michigan State Police Det. Fabian Suarez.

A portion of U.S. 12 was closed from the time of the crash until around 8 p.m. as police investigated the scene, Suarez said.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Assisting were Cass County deputies and Niles Township Fire Department.

Latest Stories

By using this website’s user-contribution features, including comments, photo galleries, or any other feature, you agree to abide by the terms of use. Please read this agreement in its entirety because it contains useful information that will help you better understand the rules and general "good manners" that are expected when contributing content to this website.